What Gets Ruined When a House Floods?

Materials like drywall, insulation, and wood framing act like sponges, soaking up water. Wet drywall loses its structural integrity and often requires removal. Insulation becomes ineffective and can trap moisture inside walls, promoting mold. Wooden studs and subfloors swell and warp, which can compromise the stability of your home if not dried properly.

These materials do not dry out on their own. They retain moisture long after the visible water is gone. This hidden dampness leads to rot and mold. The pros use specialized tools for moisture mapping to find all the wet areas, ensuring nothing is missed during the drying process.

• Drywall and plaster
• Fiberglass or cellulose insulation
• Particleboard and MDF
• Wooden studs and framing
• Plywood subflooring
• Oriented strand board (OSB)

Upholstered furniture, mattresses, and curtains absorb water and contaminants, making them very difficult to restore. Wood furniture swells and warps, and veneers may peel. Books, photographs, and paper documents are often permanently damaged if not frozen and dried by a specialist quickly after the event.

Electronics and major appliances are frequently ruined by water exposure. Even if they appear to work later, internal corrosion can cause failure or create a fire hazard. It is generally unsafe to plug in any appliance that has been submerged until a qualified electrician checks it.

• Upholstered sofas and chairs
• Mattresses and box springs
• Books, documents, and photographs
• Clothing and textiles
• Televisions and computers
• Kitchen appliances like refrigerators

Floodwater is rarely clean. It often contains sewage, chemicals, or bacteria from outside, contaminating everything it touches. These contaminants pose serious health risks, causing infections or illnesses. Porous items that have contacted contaminated water usually cannot be cleaned safely and must be discarded.

Within 24 to 48 hours, mold begins to grow on damp surfaces. Mold ruins materials by breaking them down and can cause respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems. Controlling moisture quickly is the only way to prevent a major mold infestation, which requires separate remediation by a mold professional.